Stand on the waterfront near the bus station in the late afternoon and the light does most of the work: the Reloncaví Sound opens to the west, the hills to the east catch the last sun, and the beach path fills with people walking off the day. This is a working port city at the northern end of the sound, the capital of the Los Lagos Region and the main sea port at the lower end of Chile's western continental land.
Puerto Montt suits travellers who are passing through rather than settling in: it is the gateway to the Chiloé Archipelago and Chiloé Island across the Chacao Channel, to the Llanquihue and Nahuel Huapi lakes, and to Western Patagonia. Its cultural endowment mixes Chilean-Spanish culture with a German heritage, and its economy rests on agriculture, cattle, forestry on the surrounding islands, and fishing and salmon aquaculture in the fjords and nearby Pacific Ocean.
This guide covers the walks and the one national park the sources describe in detail, plus the practical questions that come up when you are planning a stop here.
Top things to do in Puerto Montt
1. Walk the beach near the bus station
The area along the beach near the bus station is pleasant for a walk, with things along the way to entertain you. Head east and the hills there give you great views, especially at sunset.
Time it for the end of the day rather than the middle of it. The walk is the easiest thing to do on arrival or before departure, since it starts right by the bus station.
2. Alerce Andino National Park
The park has two entrances to the east of Puerto Montt. It preserves remaining forest with interesting trees left standing, at a time when many of Chile's forests have been cut down and converted into efficient eucalyptus forests for industrial use.
Opening hours are 09:00-15:00, and camping in the park is not possible, which makes it unattractive for most keen hikers. Entry is 4,000 pesos for foreigners. Plan it as a half-day rather than a full one, and check the time before you set out, because the park can only be visited during opening hours.
If you only have one day
Morning: Go east to Alerce Andino National Park, using one of its two entrances to the east of Puerto Montt. Arrive for the 09:00 opening, since the park can only be visited during opening hours and closes at 15:00.
Afternoon: Return to the city and take the walk along the beach near the bus station, following it at an easy pace with the things along the way to entertain you.
Evening: Continue east along the beach into the hills for the views, timing your walk so you are there at sunset.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to walk the beach near the bus station?
Sunset. Walking east from the beach area gives great views, especially at that hour.
Can I camp in Alerce Andino National Park?
No. Camping in the park is not possible, and the park can only be visited during its opening hours of 09:00-15:00.
How much does Alerce Andino National Park cost?
Entry is 4,000 pesos for foreigners.
Where are the entrances to Alerce Andino National Park?
The park has two entrances, both to the east of Puerto Montt.
Decide how much of your stop belongs to the forest and how much to the waterfront, then start planning around the park's opening hours and the sunset.